Search

BACKGROUND: Chronic stroke can impair cardiopulmonary function, mobility, and daily activities. This study assessed the impact of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on such impairments. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on cardiopulmonary function, walking ability, lower extremity function and strength, activities of daily living (ADLs), and blood test results among individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with 22 chronic stroke participants compared RAGT against a control exercise regimen. RAGT involved three days weekly sessions of high-intensity interval training for 8 weeks (24 sessions) with a Morning Walk® device. The control group also performed home exercises. (24 sessions) Measures included VO2max, Functional Ambulatory Category, 2-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test, Motricity Index-Lower, Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, muscle strength, InBody body composition, and blood tests (cholesterol, lipid, glucose). RESULTS: RAGT significantly improved VO2max, gait, balance, and lower limb strength compared with controls, with significant improvements in 2-minute walk test, 10-meter walk test, Motricity Index-Lower, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment outcomes. No changes were seen in muscle mass or blood markers. CONCLUSION: RAGT enhances cardiopulmonary function and ambulatory capacity in chronic stroke patients, underscoring its potential in stroke rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether strap length influences the trunk motion and gait symmetry of the ground reaction forces while walking with a single-strap bag. Methods: Seventeen Korean women participated in this study. The kinematics of trunk motion and ground-reaction forces was recorded while the participants walked at a self-paced speed under three conditions: no bag, a short-strap bag and a long-strap bag. Results: The amplitude of trunk rotation on the ipsilateral side (the bag side) decreased while walking with a short-strap bag compared to walking with a long-strap bag or no bag (p< 0.05). The amplitude of trunk lateral bending toward the contralateral side and asymmetry in the mediolateral ground-reaction force significantly increased while walking with a long-strap bag compared to walking with a short-strap bag or no bag (p< 0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that carrying a long-strap bag during walking resulted in increased trunk lateral bending and asymmetry in the mediolateral ground-reaction forces. It is therefore important to select the correct strap length when carrying a single-strap bag to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]